Skip to main content

Ethics

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Engineering Geology

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS))

Definition

In line with the concept proposed by Aristotle (384–322 BC), ethics reflects on the conduct of humans and the criteria with which to evaluate behaviors and choices in order to identify “true good” including the means to achieve this goal. It also addresses the moral duties of humans towards themselves and others, and what is the right thing to do when facing a decision. Regarding the practice of a profession, ethics is the identification of duties and rights that regulate the professional activity (deontology) by members of a social group, who are characterized by the possession of specific technical-scientific knowledge, methods and tools for its application.

There are values that the human community accepts as universally representative of individual and social good, because of the universal character of the human species itself, such as honesty, justice, responsibility, respect for life, and the environment. However, depending on the cultural context, and considering time...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 699.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Andrews GC (2014) Canadian professional engineering and geoscience practice and ethics, 5th edn. Nelson College Indigenous, Toronto, 275 pages. ISBN: 978-0176509903

    Google Scholar 

  • Bobrowsky P, Cronin V, Di Capua G, Kieffer S, Peppoloni S (2017) The emerging field of geoethics. In Gundersen L (ed) Scientific integrity and ethics: with applications to the geosciences. Special Publications 73. Washington, D.C.: American Geophysical Union; Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronin VS (1993) A perspective on professional ethics in engineering geosciences. In: Hoose SN (ed) Proceedings of symposium on ethical considerations in the environmental practice of engineering geology and hydrogeology. Association of Engineering Geologists National Meeting, San Antonio, pp 21–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Jonas H (1979) Das Prinzip Verantwortung: Versuch einer Ethik für die technologische Zivilisation. Suhrkamp, Frankfurt/M

    Google Scholar 

  • Lollino G, Arattano M, Giardino M, Oliveira R, Peppoloni S (2014).Engineering geology for society and territory – vol. 7. Education, professional ethics and public recognition of engineering geology, XVII. Springer, Cham, 274 p. ISBN: 978-3-319-09302-4

    Google Scholar 

  • Peppoloni S, Di Capua G (2015) Geoethics: the role and responsibility of geoscientists. Special Publications, vol 419. Geological Society, London. ISBN 978-1-86239-726-2

    Google Scholar 

  • Peppoloni S, Di Capua G, Bobrowsky PT, Cronin V (2017) Geoethics at the heart of all geosciences. Ann Geophys 60, Fast Track 7: http://www.annalsofgeophysics.eu/index.php/annals/issue/view/537. Accessed 18 Oct 2017

  • Vallero DA (2014) Lessons from the study of RCR for emerging engineering issues. Oral presentation at the Workshop “Teaching geoethics across the curriculum”, Montana, 11 June 2014

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber M (1919) Politik als Beruf – Gesinnungsethik vs. Verantwortungsethik. Translation in English: https://www.academia.edu/26954620/Politics_as_Vocation.pdf. Accessed 18 Oct 2017

  • Wyss M, Peppoloni S (2015) Geoethics: Ethical challenges and case studies in Earth science. Elsevier, Waltham, 450 p. ISBN: 9780127999357

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Silvia Peppoloni .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Peppoloni, S., Di Capua, G. (2018). Ethics. In: Bobrowsky, P.T., Marker, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Engineering Geology. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73568-9_115

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics